Former National Security Advisor John Bolton stated on Sunday that the indictment of former US President Donald Trump over alleged hush money payments to an adult film star may eventually increase his prospects of winning the GOP presidential nomination.
Bolton, a longtime conservative and hawk on foreign affairs, expressed concern that his ex-boss could gain from the investigation launched by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg during his presidential campaign.
Bolton told CBS News that if Trump is exonerated or the case is dropped, "that will be rocket fuel" because he will be able to claim, "I told you it was a political prosecution, I told you I was being picked on, and now I've been vindicated,"
Yet he asserted that if the former president were found guilty, it was unlikely that most Americans would support him for reelection.
Bolton also attacked the way some Republicans responded to the allegations about Trump, with many well-known GOP figures accusing Bragg of conducting a probe with political motives.
"I have to admit that it hasn't been encouraging to witness how the party has responded to the indictment for the party's future. The former official proclaimed that Trump is a cancer on the Republican Party. Moreover, Bolton charged that Trump had "essentially extorted" his party.
Bolton asserted that the candidate "is threatening to blow up the presidential race if he doesn't get the nomination, and whoever the Democrats select will win."
A grand jury charged Trump last week over the alleged payment of $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to prevent her from disclosing an affair. Trump disputes having had any sexual relations with the actress.
Trump is accused with many counts of manipulating business documents, including a criminal violation, according to the Associated Press. The specifics of the accusation won't be publicly disclosed until after Trump is arraigned on Tuesday. The former president has rejected the accusation as "political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history," and has denied any involvement.
Trump declared his intention to run for the US presidency once more in November of last year. Despite the indictment, he has a 26% lead over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is his biggest competition for the Republican nomination.
Bolton, a longtime conservative and hawk on foreign affairs, expressed concern that his ex-boss could gain from the investigation launched by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg during his presidential campaign.
Bolton told CBS News that if Trump is exonerated or the case is dropped, "that will be rocket fuel" because he will be able to claim, "I told you it was a political prosecution, I told you I was being picked on, and now I've been vindicated,"
Yet he asserted that if the former president were found guilty, it was unlikely that most Americans would support him for reelection.
Bolton also attacked the way some Republicans responded to the allegations about Trump, with many well-known GOP figures accusing Bragg of conducting a probe with political motives.
"I have to admit that it hasn't been encouraging to witness how the party has responded to the indictment for the party's future. The former official proclaimed that Trump is a cancer on the Republican Party. Moreover, Bolton charged that Trump had "essentially extorted" his party.
Bolton asserted that the candidate "is threatening to blow up the presidential race if he doesn't get the nomination, and whoever the Democrats select will win."
A grand jury charged Trump last week over the alleged payment of $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to prevent her from disclosing an affair. Trump disputes having had any sexual relations with the actress.
Trump is accused with many counts of manipulating business documents, including a criminal violation, according to the Associated Press. The specifics of the accusation won't be publicly disclosed until after Trump is arraigned on Tuesday. The former president has rejected the accusation as "political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history," and has denied any involvement.
Trump declared his intention to run for the US presidency once more in November of last year. Despite the indictment, he has a 26% lead over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is his biggest competition for the Republican nomination.
